The pelvis is an area of the body below the abdomen or belly containing organs like nerves, blood vessels, the bladder, and the bowel.

Pelvic pain usually refers to pain in the region of women's reproductive organs, but it could also affect men. And it's not just a reproductive issue as most people would like to believe. It could also be as a result of an infection in the pelvic bone or an internal organ with no reproductive function. 

Causes Of Pelvic Pain 

1. Reproductive Issues

i. Endometriosis

Tissues in the uterine lining grow outside the uterus. It can cause bleeding and pain which is dependent on where the tissue implants. Pelvic pain is one of the most common symptoms linked to endometriosis.

Most times, symptoms surface during menstruation and sufferers describe it as intense menstrual cramps.

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ii. Fibroids

Fibroids are benign or non-cancerous growth in the uterus. Large fibroids may cause pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen. It may cause the sufferer to get pressed more often than usual and make it difficult for them to lie down and perform exercise.

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iii. Ovulation Pain

It is also referred to as Mittelschermz which is German for middle pain. As the name implies, this pain usually occurs in the middle part of the lower abdomen. It leads to mild discomfort in the pelvis or lower abdomen which could last for minutes or even days. Ovulation pain could feel like cramps or sharp pains. However, it is not an indication of a critical health issue.

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iv. Ectopic Pregnancy

Normally, implantation of the fertiliser fetus occurs in the wall of the uterus. However, in this life-threatening condition, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus in the abdomen or pelvis. Pelvic pain is one of the first symptoms and it increases as the fetus grows.  

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v. Menstrual Cramps 

It usually occurs in the lower part of the pelvis. It starts just before a person's period and may continue throughout the period. If the pain is extremely painful and persistent, it could be a sign of endometriosis. 

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vi. Postratitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland. One of its major symptoms is painful urination. It also comes with pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, lower back, and pain in the area around the scrotum, penis and rectum.

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2. Non-reproductive conditions that can cause pelvic pain

i. Urinary Tract Infection(UTI)

One major symptom of UTI is painful urination which comes with pelvic pain or cramps. Most times, you'll feel pains, pressure and soreness in your pelvic region. 

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ii. Hernia

Surprised? Well yes, a hernia could be the cause of that pain in your pelvic region. 

Hernia is a condition where an internal organ penetrates through a weak or soft part in the muscles. It would occur in the abdomen, thorax or thigh. Hernias are usually asymptomatic but on some occasions may cause chronic pelvic pain.

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iii. STIs

A few Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia cause pelvic pain. Also, some STIs indirectly cause pelvic pain by resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease(PID).

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iv. Appendicitis 

Inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a vestigial organ which attaches to the large intestine and stores stones and seeds filtered from food. The appendix is situated in the lower part of the right part of the abdomen.

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Appendicitis is a very common condition which mostly affects adolescents. The pain it causes could get worse during coughs, and deep breaths. 

Common symptoms are vomiting, nausea and appetite loss.

Diagnosis 

Most times, symptoms aren't enough to tell the cause of a problem. On getting to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor may perform one of the following tests on you.

• CT scans 

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• Blood and urine tests: To check for UTIs

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• Ultrasound scan: To give images of the internal organs. The physician takes pictures of the patient's internal organs through the help of high frequency sound waves.

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• Pregnancy test

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• Hysteroscopy: Examination of the uterus to check for disease conditions.

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• Endoscopy: A test to survey a person's internal body. A long flexible tube called the endoscope is used. A camera and a light is attached to the tube before it is inserted into the patient's body. The physician then views a picture of the person's internal organs.

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• Laparoscopy: In this test, the surgeon gets to examine the internal part of the pelvis and abdomen without making a large incision on the skin. It is quite similar to endoscopy as a light and camera are also inserted into the patient's body.

Treatment Of Pelvic Pain 

The treatment of pelvic pain depends on the cause. Some common treatment methods are:

1. Over-the-counter painkillers and antibiotics
2. Hot compress: Works for menstrual cramps.
3. Exercise: Pelvic exercises like Kegel exercise can help relieve pain caused by abdominal muscle sprain.
4. Vitamin supplements: Pelvic pain can be caused by vitamin deficiency. 
5. Consult your doctor: In cases where you can't identify the cause of the pain or innocuous home remedies were ineffective, it is best to consult a physician for professional help. 
6. Surgery: For issues related to pelvic organs like kidney stones and appendicitis, surgery may be required.

Bottom line 

Pelvic pain could be an indication of conditions other than reproductive issues. Some of these conditions may be benign or lethal. As soon as the pain begins to linger, it's best to get a proper medical checkup.

Generally, regular exercise and intake of a balanced diet could help prevent pain of any sort.

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